Gotta let you all in on that one. I have been taking Max beating for pheasant and partridge quite a few times this last month (morer for the walk than anything else). To cut a long story short ...... after having been on the leash the first few times the game keeper suggested I let him run with the dogs at the end of a drive to kinda get him used to things. He did that a few times and then a few days ago I was asked to go onto the local farm and beat there. As he couldnt really do anything wrong I had him off the the leash most of the time and near the end of the shoot I whistled for him and he came out of under a tree with a pheasant in his mouth. Now, I have had him "retrieve" in the house with balled up socks and with a dummy in the field as he thinks it is a real good game
So, I got down onto my heels as I always do, open my arms and he comes and gives me the bird on command DEAD. I was sooooo proud of him and rewarded and stroked him and all that. Then I got up and called to a few of the other beaters that my dog had retrieved for the first time ........................Next thing is that other older beater with a Spaniel coming round a tree replying to me that ..........."Your lil bast^^d thieved it of my dog!!!!
I didnt really care about that as he came straight to me as he has seen other dogs doing, so I guess I am still proud even though he is a thief

BTW, Max is now nearly 8 months old and really loves this flushing out, retrieving and pointing!!!!!_________________A hard life isn't easy !